José Santos and Paula Santos, a lovely couple known by the locals as Zé D’Angola and Paulinha, have been in charge of Bassiló Bar for many years, however this duo only established their presence in the pub, years after the inauguration of Bassiló Bar.

Family business

The parents of Zé gave him, his sister and brother-in-law a space for housing. However, the two siblings saw the potential of the space and transformed it into a bar that opened its doors in 1982.

In 1987, Zé and Paula got married and later on, Zé’s sister decided to leave the business and Zé was left in charge of the bar with his wife. Before Paula started working in Bassiló Bar full-time, other staff members helped Zé, when Paula gave birth to their son.

When their son grew up, the duo Zé D’Angola and Paulinha was formed and turned out to be the perfect team for a great family project.


Why Bassiló?

Before opening the bar, Zé recalls how a fisherman, who would take tourists to visit the caves, had also found the perfect spot for grilled sardines. The sardines were eaten not only by the tourists, but also locals.

The cherished fisherman would sing, accompanied by two bottles and spoons, some words like “Bassiló Cha Cha Cha”. The song stuck in everyone’s mind from the moment they first heard it and, eventually became a reference in the town. Due to this, Zé and his family decided to name the bar after the song. To pay homage to it, there is a tiled piece at the entrance, where there is the fisherman with his bottles and spoons.

Sports bar

Besides their family, one of the main passions of this couple is football, especially the Sport Lisboa e Benfica football club.

Zé D’Angola had a career not only as a football player, but also as a coach, which made him meet lots of people who then flocked to Bassiló Bar to watch the football matches. To this day, it is still difficult to find a seat when Benfica is playing.

Decorated with many football clubs’ scarfs, and a crafted Benfica logo above a Benfica clock, right at the entrance, people can clearly see the owners’ preference, however, fair-play is taken seriously in this bar. Regardless of the club preferences, everyone is welcomed and can, for sure, have a good time discussing football with the owners and other clients.


However, the feeling of watching a World or European Cup, when Portugal is playing, is indescribable. Everyone wants the same, so all the energy is focused on the victory. It all starts with the National Anthem, everyone standing up singing in unison, ending with a clap and the clicks of beer bottles being opened. The silence prevails, until that moment when a goal is almost scored and then, the hollering starts, when the goal is done. Hugs, beers rolling, everyone, of all ages is celebrating, whether they know each other or not. Bassiló Bar is, in fact, the place where sports can unite people together for good.

Across generations

With 42 years of history, in Armação de Pêra, Bassiló Bar is also part of people’s history. Zé and Paula highlight the bliss they feel when seeing their first clients’ children also starting to build a family, while keeping their connections to Bassiló Bar.

Zé and Paula are proud to know people not only from different regions of Portugal, but also from abroad. The couple can easily chat in different languages, being able to bond with not only English people, but also French and German customers that, when arriving the Algarve, all head straight for Bassiló Bar.


House specialties

During match days, the preference of the costumers is beer, usually in mini bottles. The refrigerators are usually ready in advance, so that the beer is at the right temperature.

However, during summer the drink shaker sound will be louder than the music playing. Requests for Caipirinhas and Mojitos never stop, as Paula’s cocktails are one of the most remarkable in Armação de Pêra. With proper ingredients, and good quality drinks, one cocktail will surely not be enough, and a second round will always be wanted.

Staying in family

Some customers have become friends, and at some point, have also became like family members to Zé D’Angola and Paula.

It is common to have people coming in, even when the bar is closed, just to talk and spend quality time with the owners. During this interview, people went in and out and Isabel, a friend that became family, mentioned that Bassiló Bar is like her second home.

At the end of the conversation, it was abundantly clear that kindness, family and fun is what really describes Bassiló Bar, a place that has been bringing joy to many people, from different backgrounds since 1982.

Experience the bar for yourself by visiting Bassiló Bar on Rua do Alentejo, 17 in Armação de Pêra.